EM ASIA FX-Asian currencies off to strong start for 2018; Sing dollar at 1-1/2-year high

(Adds text, updates prices)

By Ambar Warrick

Jan 2 (Reuters) - Asian currencies firmed on Tuesday, marking a strong start

for the new year as sentiment was boosted by gains in the euro, while a weaker

U.S. dollar prompted further interest in Asia.

The greenback saw its biggest annual drop in 2017 in more than a

decade on doubts over the durability of a pick-up in U.S. economic growth

following a sweeping tax overhaul, while the euro hovered around a three-month

peak.

"I think it's almost aligning mechanically with the stronger euro and weaker

dollar. It looks like there was no risk-off, and the dollar is also on a softer

footing, so I think these two reasons are conspiring to allow Asian currencies

to remain buoyant today," said Vishnu Varathan, senior economist at Mizuho Bank.

However, he added that follow-up gains looked a bit doubtful, adding that

there was a bit of upside resistance in a few currencies in the region.

In Asian currencies, the Taiwan dollar was the biggest percentage

gainer, rising 0.8 percent against the dollar to a more than four-year high.

" The Taiwan dollar last Friday hit a similar level but pared gains to close

flat...what we're seeing today is just a rebound, which is not a surprise," said

Gao Qi, Asia FX strategist at Scotiabank.

The Chinese yuan was also firmer, gaining 0.1 percent to a near

four-month high against the greenback. Growth in China's manufacturing sector

unexpectedly picked up to a four-month high in December, a private business

survey showed, highlighting unexpected resilience in the world's second-largest

economy.

The South Korean won was also stronger against the dollar, edging

up after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered an olive branch to South Korea,

saying he was open to dialogue. Increased tensions in the Korean peninsula had

served as a major detriment to the won.

The Philippine peso and the Thailand baht did not trade

as markets were closed for the New Year celebrations.

SINGAPORE DOLLAR

The Singapore dollar rose against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, gaining

0.3 percent to its highest since June 2016.

Singapore's economic growth slowed in the fourth quarter as factories lost

steam, but a services sector recovery bolstered expectations the central bank

could tighten monetary policy as early as April, sending the local currency

higher.

"We remain sanguine on 2018 growth outlook for now, but watch for potential

policy tightening risks," OCBC Bank said in a research note.

The following table shows rates for Asian currencies against the dollar at

0427 GMT.

CURRENCIES VS U.S. DOLLAR

Change on the day at

0427 GMT

Currency Latest bid Previous day Pct Move

Japan yen 112.690 112.64 -0.04

Sing dlr 1.333 1.3368 +0.28

Taiwan dlr 29.613 29.848 +0.79

Korean won 1063.700 1070.5 +0.64

Rupiah 13546.000 13565 +0.14

Rupee 63.725 63.68 -0.08

Ringgit 4.030 4.044 +0.35

Yuan 6.501 6.5069 +0.09

Change so far

Currency Latest bid End 2017 Pct Move

Japan yen 112.690 112.67 -0.02

Sing dlr 1.333 1.3373 +0.32

Taiwan dlr 29.613 29.848 +0.79

Korean won 1063.700 1070.50 +0.64

Rupiah 13546.000 13565 +0.14

Rupee 63.725 63.87 +0.23

Ringgit 4.030 4.0440 +0.35

Yuan 6.501 6.5069 +0.09

(Reporting by Ambar Warrick in Bengaluru; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)